Community Garden Resource Manual: Columbus OH

8/9/2019 Community Garden Resource Manual: Columbus OH

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Get Green Columbus:

Community Garden Resource Manual

MAYOR MICHAEL B. COLEMAN


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Community Garden Resource Guide Manual

Preface

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Were all working and thinking in new ways as our community and nation move through the beginning o the

21st Century, and it is becoming ever more clear that living smart means living in ways that are sustainable,

environmentally sensitive and respect our natural world. Thats why I launched Get Green Columbus, and am proud to

see more people getting involved in their own unique ways.

One way to make a dierence in your neighborhood is to develop neighborhood-backed agriculture projects,

like community gardens. These arent just great ways to get healthy oods, but also can become cornerstones o

community and even a business opportunity with our local armers markets. Community gardening can also be a lot

o un, and oer local youth a way to learn something new about their world.

This Get Green Columbus: Community Garden Resource Manual provides an overview o City and community-

based programs available to gardeners. This manual contains inormation on the steps you can take to build a

community gardens, including securing City land; it contains the resources or garden maintenance and availability o

materials; and it lists the various community groups that assist citizens in navigating the process.

This manual was put together by a great group o local volunteers and advocates who serve on my Columbus Green

Team. These 35 local experts come rom many walks o lie, and advise me on all sorts o Green issues. Co-chaired

by Meera Pathasarathy and David Brehem, the Green Team is dedicated to making Columbus a healthier, more

sustainable City. To learn more, check out www.GetGreenColumbus.org

Sincerely,

Michael B. Coleman

Mayor


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION 2

Community Garden Overview

Denition o a Community Garden

Organizational Side o Growing Together

Challenges o the Charge

II. THE CITY OF COLUMBUS 4

Obtaining Land or Community Gardens

Finding Land or Development

Procedures or Leasing City Lots

Lease Restrictions

Time-Frame or a LeasePurchasing Land and Permanent Community Garden Designation

Insuring Community Gardeners

Zoning and Building Code Regulations

Regulatory Issues Facing Community Gardens

Gardens on Private Property

Gardens on Public Property

Resources or Growing Green Lots

Mobile Tool Library

Soil Enhancement

Wood Chips and Friends o the Park Program

Health and Saety in the GardenLinks to Health Resources

Connecting with Community Ocials

Land Clean-Up

Waste, Litter and Trash Prevention

Garbage and Bulk Pick-Up

III. ADDITIONAL LOCAL RESOURCES 12

Franklin Park Conservatory- Growing to Green ProgramColumbus Community Garden Resource Guide

Growing to Green Awards Program

Ohio Community Garden Conerence

School Garden Program

Scotts Urban Garden Academy

Greater Columbus Foodshed Project o Simply Living

Foodshed Council

The Ohio State University Extension

Garden Questions

Master Gardener Program

Ohioline: Yard and GardenWebGarden

The United Way o Central Ohios

Neighborhood Partnership Center

Computer and Internet Access

Grants

Library and Resource Materials

Neighborhood Training Academy

IV. NATIONAL RESOURCES 18

American Community Gardening Association

National Gardening Association

V. FUNDING SOURCES 20

Captain Planet Foundation

The Columbus Foundation

Fiskars- Project Orange Thumb

National Gardening Association (NGA)

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

Seeds o Change

Target Store Grants

The United Way o Central Ohio- Neighborhood

Partnership Grants

VI. SUSTAINABILITY 24

Table of Contents

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INTRODUCTION


Denition o a Community Garden



Introduction

I.

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I. INTRODUCTION


Defnition o a Community Garden

A community garden is a piece o land shared by riends and neighbors or growing vegetables and fowers, as well as providing opportunities

or positive social interaction and recreation. It may be between two buildings, on the outskirts o a city, in an apartment building courtyard or

on a rootop, on hospital grounds, alongside railroad tracks, or even in your own backyard.

Community gardens can take on various orms. Designated land can be divided among neighbors or personal use or developed into school

gardens where school subjects including biology, environmental science, and mathematics can be taught and explored in the garden

environment. Community gardens can also be used or growing ruits and vegetables or ood pantry donations, educational and training

workshops, youth programs, senior centers, and churches. A gardens theme and program possibili ties are virtual ly endless and should be the

ocus o the envisioning stage.

Benefts o a Community Garden

Community building tool--creates opportunities or neighbors to work together

Produces resh, nutritious ruits and vegetables in urban areas or community or ood bank use

Improves and uses vacant and unsightly lots

Provides a sae learning space or children and adults

Reduces crime

Preserves urban green space

Creates income opportunities and economic empowerment

Reduces city heat rom streets and parking lots

Enables exposure and connection to nature and the cultivation o environmental stewardship

Reduces stress and improves mental health o community members

Beauties and enriches neighborhoods and enhances their sense o identity

Provides opportunities or intergenerational and cross-cultural connections


Just as the settings or community gardens vary, so do the ways or making them work. The key to success is creating a system or decision-

making and responsibility-sharing that works or the individuals involved with the garden. Long-term success is more viable i the governance

system involves interested community members and all members o the garden in maintaining and organizing garden operations. Typical

garden committees address the ollowing concerns: general maintenance, garden celebrations, community relations, garden ees, rules or the

garden and the initial and long-term planning or the garden.


Community gardens ace many challenges. Some o the most common include: nding and securing land, long-term viability due to loss o

land to development, lack o community interest, thet and vandalism, nding access to water sources, tilling and preparing lots, building up

soil nutrients or planting, acquiring access to necessary tools (especially roto-tilling and plowing equipment), nding resources in an urban

environment and undraising.

This manual identies resources needed or a successul community project that benets your neighborhood.

Introduction

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THE CITY OF COLUMBUS


Finding Land or DevelopmentProcedures or Leasing City Lots

Lease Restrictions

Time-Frame or a Lease

Purchasing Land and Permanent Community Garden Designation






Resources or Growing Green LotsMobile Tool Library

Soil Enhancement


Health and Saety in the Garden

Links to Health Resources

Connecting with Community Ocials

Land Clean-Up


Garbage and Bulk Pick-Up

The City of Columbus

II.

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II. THE CITY OF COLUMBUS


Finding Land or Development

Land Redevelopment Ofce

109 North Front Street

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 645-LAND (5263)

[email protected]

http://www.td.ci.columbus.oh.us/Bizdevelopment/BuyCityProperty/index.asp

The Department o Developments Land Redevelopment Oce manages the Citys Land Bank in which numerous properties are obtainable

or garden and beautication projects, usually through a lease. A list o available properties can be ound on the Land Redevelopment Oces

Web site by clicking Lease Land or $1. Select a garden location to view its lot size, lot area and a photo o the land. Contact the Land

Redevelopment Oce with any questions about the properties listed.

Procedures or Leasing City Lots

Anyone interested in leasing a City-owned lot is required to provide inormation to the Land Redevelopment Oce. An outline o the applicants

plan should be mailed to the Land Redevelopment Oce, in addition to the ollowing:

responsible partys ull name, address and phone number

address and parcel number o the lot

purpose o the request

reason or creating the garden

brie description o the garden

simple drawing showing the layout and use o the Land Bank lottimerame or gardens development

request or a meeting with Land Redevelopment sta

Lease Restrictions

The Lessee cannot assign the lease or sublet any portion o the premises. No alterations or improvements can be made to the property including

encing, permanent structuring and laying railroad ties. Use o any signage and other materials on the site must be pre-approved by the Land

Redevelopment Oce.

Time-Frame or a Lease

Most lots are leased on a year-to-year basis, rom April to November. However, multi-year leases are sometimes granted, depending on the

property involved and inormation submitted by the party interested in the land.


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Purchasing Land and Permanent Community Garden Designation

The Land Redevelopment Oce promotes the development o inll housing and commercial development on vacant Land Bank properties.

Consequently, the purchase or permanent designation o lots set aside or lease as community gardens is generally not permitted. However, due

to some leased properties locations and physical characteristics, exceptions may be made. The Land Redevelopment sta considers these types

o requests on a case-by-case basis.


Liability insurance provides community gardens with legal protection i someone is injured while tending the garden. Although community

gardeners are not required to have liability insurance, it is highly recommended and some land owners will not lease land to uninsured

gardeners.

The City o Columbus is sel-insured, and does not have liability insurance coverage through a communit y carrier. As a result, community

gardeners would not have liability insurance coverage through the City while tending leased lots. However, gardeners are not required to have

liability insurance to lease property rom the City Land Bank.



Community garden organizers must consider a number o regulatory issues beore establishing a community garden. The appropriate City

agencies and sta should be contacted to ensure that the gardens development and any physical structures are both appropriate and legal.

Dierent City agencies have regulatory responsibility depending on whether the location is on public or private property.


Department o Development

Building Services Division (BSD)

757 Carolyn Avenue

Columbus, OH 43224

(614) 645-7314

http://td.ci.columbus.oh.us/DivisionsandOces/BuildingServices/index.asp

The Department o Developments Building Services Division (BSD) manages the zoning and building codes that regulate land use and

construction on private property. The division reviews building plans, licenses contractors, coordinates re-zonings and variances, conducts

inspections and issues building permits.


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Community gardens are permitted in most residential and commercial zoning districts. However, some gardens may be prohibited due to

specic use restrictions and development standards. Factors that might be considered by zoning ocials in evaluating a potential site include:

hours o operation, site conguration, required parking, lighting, encing or screening and storage requirements. Some potential garden

locations may require a request or property re-zoning or a variance. Interested parties would then submit a site plan to scale that includes:

propertys conguration and proximity to streets and alleys

location o any existing and proposed buildings or parking areas

additional important details

Building permits are required or most work involving new construction or remodelling o an existing structure, with the exception o work

classied as maintenance. Examples o community garden work that generally requires a permit include:

ences taller than six eet

above-ground water tanks (some exemptions exist)

retaining walls

equipment sheds with an area o over 169 square eet

More inormation regarding the zoning and permitting processes is available on the Citys Web site www.columbusonestopshop.com or by

calling the BSD oce.


Transportation Division

109 North Front Street, 3rd Floor

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 645-7497 (Permit Section)

[email protected]

http://pubserv.ci.columbus.oh.us/transportation/Index.htm

The Transportation Division maintains City streets, highways, alleys and bridges, and regulates the use o City right-o-way or public property.

City rights-o-way typically extend beyond the limits o roadway pavement to include sidewalks, ditches, utility strips, etc.

Various permits and permit-like processes may be required, depending on where a community garden is established, and or how long. These

applications are handled by the Right-o-Way Services unit. Permits are generally granted i the gardens use will not interere with the health,

saety or general welare o the public.

The Transportation Division ocials strongly advise garden organizers wishing to utilize any portion o the public right-o-way to contact the

oce early in the garden development process. Transportation Division ocials will assist organizers in addressing any specic requirements.

Those with questions on the use o City rights-o-way should call or email the Transportation Division.


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Resources or Growing Green Lots

Mobile Tool Library

Department o Development

Mobile Tool Library

2771 East Fourth Avenue

Columbus, OH 43219

(614) 645-8542

[email protected]

http://td.ci.columbus.oh.us/NeighborhoodsandResidents/housing/homeowner/mobile_tools.asp

The Department o Developments Mobile Tool Library program promotes property maintenance and improvements by lending tools and

equipment ree o charge. Program participants may include homeowners, renters, landlords, and nonprot agencies. Appl icants other than

nonprot organizations must reside within the designated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) service area. A map o the CDBG

service area is accessible on the Mobile Tool Librarys Web site. Applications are also available online or by calling the programs main oce.

Approved applicants receive membership status and can borrow rom a selection o more than 200 t ypes o hand and power tools. A valid

picture I.D. is required to pick up tools rom the programs site locations. The Mobile Tool Library Trucks are parked at 13 designated locations

around the City Tuesday through Saturday rom 12: 00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Additionally, the Mobile Tool Warehouse is open or service to eligible

participants Tuesday through Friday rom 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Soil Enhancement

Division o Sewerage and Drainage

Com-Til

7000 Jackson Pike

Lockbourne, OH 43137(614) 645-3153

www.com-til.org

The Division o Sewerage and Drainage operates the Citys compost acility. Com-Til, a nutrient rich, completely organic, soil enhancement, may

be available to community garden groups ree-o-charge, depending on the quantities available and requested. Free delivery is also possible,

based on the personnel and equipment available. Gardeners are more likely to receive ree Com-Til material and service beore March or ater

June, the acilitys slower season.

I more than 15 cubic yards o Com-Til are needed, community garden groups are required to pay or the material and arrange or transportation.

Smaller quantities o Com-Til can be picked up ree-o-charge. Gardeners must call the compost acility in advance to make the necessary

arrangements.

Cars, pick-ups and open bed trucks may be used to collect the material, but all loads must be covered. Smaller quantit ies can be obtained by

customers bringing their own containers (bags, boxes, etc.). A list o haulers is also available through the compost acilit y and a discounted price

can be arranged.

The compost acility is open year-round, Monday through Friday rom 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. except or holidays. Additional inormation,

including material analysis and application rates, can be obtained by calling or visiting the Com-Til Web site. Experience the wonder o plants

grown with Com-Til.


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Volunteer Ofce(614) 645-3325

[email protected]

http://www.columbusrecparks.com/jobs/volunteer_opportunities/nature.asp


Department o Recreation and Parks

Forestry Division440 West Whittier Street

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 645-3350

http://recparks.columbus.gov/aboutus/orestry.asp

The Department o Recreation and Parks Forestry Division can supply gardeners with wood chips at no cost. All requests are

considered on a case-by-case basis. Approval depends on a number o actors, including the time o year, gardens location and

availability o wood chip material. Contact the Forestry Division or more inormation.

The Departments Volunteer Oce oers a Friends o the Park program or groups or individuals interested in assisting with parkplanning, beautication eorts or undraising to improve park conditions and acilities. Inormational packets detailing the terms

and conditions o the program can be obtained by calling or e-mailing the volunteer oce.

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Health and Saety in the Garden

Links to Health Resources

Columbus Public HealthFranklin County Heart Health Network

240 Parsons Avenue

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 645-0743

[email protected]

http://www.publichealth.columbus.gov/programs/programs_134.asp

Columbus Public Health does not traditionally provide direct educational programming to community gardens, but instead links to other

organizations that do. The Franklin County Heart Health Network, acilitated by Columbus Public Health, is currently in the process o

identiying the various community organizations that provide nutrition and wellness outreach services, in hopes o establishing a community

reerral network in 2007. Call or more inormation.

Connecting with Community Ofcials

Division o Police

http://www.columbuspolice.org

Contact your local police precinct and Community

Liaison when creating a community garden. They

can provide valuable community buy-in and

an attentive eye on the garden. A list o police

precincts and Community Liaisons can be accessedthrough the Divisions home page. Click the link

labeled View City Precinct Maps and Community

Liaison Contact Numbers. A map showing the

entire Citys police precincts should appear. Cl ick on

an individual precinct to nd:

a more detailed map showing precinct

boundaries and major roadways

precincts police substation address and

inormational phone number

phone numbers or police service andreporting an emergency

community liaison contact numbers


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City Precinct Map


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Land Clean-Up


Division o Reuse CollectionKeep Columbus Beautiul

1265 Marion Road

Columbus, OH 43207

(614) 645-8027

http://reuse.ci.columbus.oh.us/kcb/

The Division o Reuse Collections Keep Columbus Beautiul program encourages site beautication, with the goal o providing a clean, sae and

beautiul community in which residents can live and raise a amily. The program promotes activities in the areas o public awareness, education,

recycling, litter prevention, beautication and grati prevention.

Garden support is available through the program or beautication and clean-up projects. The program works with volunteer groups conductinggateway beautications, and provides resources to community gardeners and other groups needing bags, gloves, and hand tools (shovels, rakes,

pitchorks, hoes, wheelbarrows, etc.).

Keep Columbus Beautiul encourages citizens to become an Adopt an Area partner. Requirements include three cleanups or beautication

eorts each year. Once the requirement is met, Keep Columbus Beautiul erects an ocial street sign recognizing the Adopt an Area partner. For

more inormation about Keep Columbus Beautiul and its services, visit the programs Web site or call the phone number listed above.

Garbage and Bulk Pick-up

The Division o Reuse Collection does not provide garbage or bulk pick-up service to community gardens. Rumpke Waste Removal and

Recycling Inc. collects residential yard waste and recyclables rom Columbus residences. Individuals with questions on contracting or

commercial and industrial service can call (614) 421-0092 or (800) 828-8171.


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ADDITIONAL LOCAL RESOURCES

Franklin Park Conservatory- Growing to Green Program

Columbus Community Garden Resource GuideGrowing to Green Awards Program

Ohio Community Garden Conerence

School Garden Program

Scotts Urban Garden Academy


Foodshed Council


Garden Questions


Ohioline: Yard and GardenWebGarden

The United Way o Central Ohios Neighborhood Partnership Center


Grants



Additional Local Resources

III.

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III. ADDITIONAL LOCAL RESOURCES

Franklin Park Conservatory- Growing to Green Program

Growing to Green

1777 East Broad StreetColumbus, OH 43203

(614) 645-5952

[email protected]

http://www.pconservatory.org/growingtogreen.htm

Franklin Park Conservatorys Growing to Green program is Columbus largest organized eort to promote and provide ree resources or

community gardening and city beautication. An onsite demonstration garden, how-to instruction, trainings and the Franklin Park Community

Garden are just a ew o the resources currently available to community members through the Conservatory and Growing to Greens partners.

Since Growing to Greens establishment in March 2000, it has assisted in the start-up or renovation o more than 90 community, school,

memorial and neighborhood beautication garden projects. The programs success has led the Conservatory to develop a comprehensive masterplan to expand its acility, create more community gardens and renovate the parks original caretakers cottage or community garden education.

Current programs and resources available are listed below.

Columbus Community Garden Resource Guide- The resource guide is a comprehensive review o community gardening. It includes

gardening inormation and act sheets, organizational tips, unding sources, sample documents, a step-by-step checklist and more. Call or

more inormation on obtaining a copy.

Growing to Green Awards Program- The Growing to Green Awards seek to honor the eorts and commitment o local community

gardeners while promoting urther participation in city beautication and community gardens. Award categories include community,

education, youth leadership and neighborhood beautication gardens and Community Gardener o the Year. Interested individuals or

groups may nominate their garden, themselves or others or the program by completing the ocial awards entry orm available online.

Ohio Community Garden Conerence- Growing to Greens Ohio Community Garden Conerence takes place annually at Franklin Park

Conservatory. It oers presentations, hands-on workshops, keynote speakers and community garden displays to assist gardeners in

building stronger leadership skills and a more sustainable garden. Call or visit the Growing to Green Web site or more inormation.

School Garden Program- Growing to Green provides design assistance, program support and curriculum tie-in ideas to Columbus area

schools interested in creating a schoolyard-learning garden. Teachers or school ocials should call or more inormation.

Scotts Urban Garden Academy- The Scotts Urban Garden Academy is an educational and unding program made possible by a

partnership between the Columbus Foundation, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, and Franklin Park Conservatory. The Academy provides

a comprehensive series o courses designed to equip community gardeners with the skills and resources needed tosuccessully implement

and sustain a community garden. These in-depth classes are taught ree-o-charge, February through March at the Franklin Park

Conservatory. Call or visit the Growing to Green Web site or more inormation and course registration. Example classes are listed below.


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Organizing Your Community Garden- Instruction on starting a community garden including organizational structure, site

selection, design and working with the community to gain support and interest.

Garden Design- Garden design and planning success stories. Tips on orm, unction, plant material and small space gardening.

Growing or Green- Learn how to tap into the local economy with your garden. Grow and sell your produce or armers marketsand local restaurants.

Plant Propagation- Find out how to start your own plants by collecting and starting seeds, taking cuttings, dividing and more.

Organic Gardening- Explore the many ways to get optimal production with an organic approach to your garden, including crop

rotation, growing your own ertilizer, cover crops and companion planting.

The Sustainable Community Garden- Hear how to keep your garden in ull bloom or years to come including resident

participation, problem solving, grant writing and long-term land use.


Greater Columbus Foodshed Project

3193 Dorris Avenue

Columbus, Oh 43202

(614) 447-0296

http://www.greatercolumbusoodshedproject.org/

Simply Living is a Central Ohio-based nonprot organization dedicated to creating a compassionate and sustainable world through personal,

community and cultural transormation. Greater Columbus Foodshed Project (GCFP) o Simply Living is a program working to address local

ood supply issues in the Columbus area. It tackles sustainable living by: increasing central Ohioans access to oods rom local arms and

community and backyard gardens, growing local markets or local ood, andeducating toddlers through adults on health, nutrition and wellness. The

GCFP also acilitates the monthly Foodshed Council meeting.

Foodshed Council

Child Development Council o Franklin County (Head Start)

300 East Spring Street

Columbus, Ohio 43202

The Foodshed Council promotes environmental, economical and socially

responsible practices in local ood production. Individuals interested in

creating greater access to healthy, locally grown oods meet to exchangeideas and best practices, link to resources, and collaborate with others in

the communit y. Meetings are held rom 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. the second

Thursday o every month at the Child Development Council o Franklin

County (Head Start). There are no meetings in August or December.


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The Ohio State University (OSU) Extension provides a number o resources to the public in an eort to connect the surrounding community

to the research and work o the university. Community gardeners can take advantage o the Extensions vast garden and plant databases.

Garden Questions

http://hcs.osu.edu/aq/

This Web site oers a growing archive o garden-related questions and answers.


OSU Extension- Franklin County

2001 Fye Court, Room 232-C Howlett Hall

Columbus, OH 43210

(614) 247-6046

http://ranklin.osu.edu/hort/hort.htm#1http://mastergardener.osu.edu/

The Franklin County Master Gardener volunteer program is a cooperative eort o the Franklin County Extension and the OSU Chadwick

Arboretum and Learning Gardens. The program is open bi-yearly to Franklin County residents who are amateur gardeners. Program

participants are given 50 hours o training in horticultural topics and expected to return 50 volunteer hours to the program sponsors over

the ollowing growing season. Donated time is divided into answering gardening questions, conducting plant clinics, gardening activities

with community members, community beautication, developing community or demonstration gardens and other horticultural activities.

Interested individuals must participate in a comprehensive application process and screening. Persons accepted into the program are

deemed Master Gardeners ollowing the completion o their training and designated volunteer commitment. Master Gardeners may

remain active in the program by maintaining their certication with continuing education hours and donating a minimum o 25 hours tothe program each season.


Master Gardener training topics include:

botany

plant nomenclature

understanding soils and ertilizers

plant pathology basics

entomology basics

integrated pest management

pesticide saety

growing vegetables and ruits

woody ornamentals

home lawn management

diagnosing plant problems

nuisance wildlie

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Resources aliated with the Master Gardener Program:

Garden Inormation Line

(614) 247-7313

Hotline assists Central Ohio gardeners in nding solutions and answers to their questions. The line operates March 1- October 31, Monday and

Thursday rom 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Plant Identifcation and Diagnosis

(614) 247-7313

Gardeners can have plant samples identied or diagnosed at the Master Gardener Program oce. The service consists only o a visual analysis

and costs $5.00 per sample. Gardeners are required to ll out an inormational orm and a response is usually given with in ve business days.

Visit the Franklin County OSU Extension Web site or call the Garden Inormation Line or more details.

Ohioline: Yard and Garden

http://ohioline.osu.edu/lines/hygs.html

This database provides access to hundreds o actsheets, bulletins and other educational material covering everything rom soil management to

vegetables.

WebGarden

http://webgarden.osu.edu/

The WebGarden is an international knowledge bank and multimedia learning

center or horticulture and crop science. It includes plant-related act sheets,

research and teaching inormation, how-to video collection, image database,

collection o requently asked questions and an illustrated dictionary.


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The United Way o Central Ohios Neighborhood Partnership Center

Neighborhood Partnership Center

360 South Third Street

Columbus, OH 43215614-241-3072

[email protected]

www.uwcentralohio.org

The United Way o Central Ohios Neighborhood Partnership Center (NPC) addresses critical needs in Neighborhood Development. NPC brings

together residents and resources rom neighborhoods, businesses, varying levels o government and nonprot organizations in central Ohio.

The center empowers neighborhood residents to promote positive change in their neighborhoods through training, technical assistance, grant

programs and resource development.

Many o the programs and services available through the NPC are applicable to community gardens and organizational development. Visit the

United Way Web site or call the NPC or more inormation and the most up-to-date Neighborhood Academy training schedule (see below).


Ongoing Services at the Neighborhood Partnership Center include:


NPC is equipped with two computer terminals with internet access or public use.

Grants

See Funding Sources or more inormation.


NPC oers a public multi-media library o books, reerence guides and videos on grant writing, economic development,

community organizing, undraising, community gardening and evaluation.


NPC oers a diverse array o courses and training to neighborhood and nonprot groups, as well as the general public.

Classes all into our general categories:

Neighborhood and Economic Development (includes gardening workshops)

Organizational Development

Basic Technology

Community Relations and Fundraising

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National Resources



National Resources

IV.

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IV. NATIONAL RESOURCES


American Community Garden Associationc/o Franklin Park Conservatory

1777 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43203

(877) ASK-ACGA (877-275-2242)

http://www.communitygarden.org

www.gardenmosaics.org

The American Community Garden Association (ACGA) is a nonprot membership organization advancing the cause and eorts o community

gardens in urban, suburban and rural settings in the United States and Canada. The organization acilitates state and national community

garden networks through an annual conerence, training workshops and monthly teleconerences. ACGA also publishes periodicals and resource

materials, manages the youth education program Garden Mosaics, provides mentors or community garden projects and advocates research onthe impact o community gardens. Visit the ACGA Web site or more inormation.

Some o the ACGA resources available online:

ree downloadable online documents and teleconerences

ree listserv or anyone interested in community gardening

past ACGA publications

gardening tips and general inormation


state, province and national community garden lists

material on gardening with seniors, children or the disabled

unding Inormation (See Funding Sources.)

National Resources

ree newsletters

regional growing zone reports

plant nder

weed library

gardening articles

how-to projects

pest control library

ood gardening guide

plant care guide

online seed swap

online gardening courses

unding inormation

curriculum tips

parents gardening primer

classroom stories

activities

school greenhouse guide

grants and awards (See Funding Sources.)


1100 Dorset Street

South Burlington, VT 05403

(802) 863-5251

http://www.garden.org/

http://www.kidsgardening.com/

The National Gardening Association (NGA) is a nonprot linking

people to gardening through plant-based education, health and

wellness, environmental stewardship, community development and

home gardening. The organization provides numerous resources to

gardeners ranging rom plant act sheets to unding inormation.

NGA is also a leader in K-12 plant-based education. Curriculum

ideas and programs can be ound throughout its childrens Web site

KidsGardening.org. Some o the resources available through both

NGA Web sites include the ollowing:

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Funding Sources

Funding Sources


The Columbus FoundationFiskars- Project Orange Thumb



Seeds o Change

Target Store Grants

The United Way o Central Ohio- Neighborhood Partnership Grants

V.

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Funding Sources

V. Funding Sources

Community gardens are eligible or unding through a variety o sources such as grants, achievement awards and local business support.

Gardeners can apply or grants specically designed to assist community gardens or those related to the gardens purpose and desired impact,

such as community development and education. Awards programs, like The Scotts Miracle-Gro Companys Give Back to Grow Awards, honorprogram nalist with cash prizes. Local greenhouses and garden shops may provide community gardeners with discounts, tools, and ree seeds

or plants. Other local companies may support community gardeners with nancial support or needed resources.

Many o the organizations mentioned in this manual oer unding resources and grants. Gardeners can visit these groups Web sites to learn

more. Additional opportunities or unding and garden resources are listed below.


133 Luckie Street, 2nd Floor

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

(404) 522-4215

http://www.captainplanetdn.org/

The Captain Planet Foundation provides grants or organizations

working with children, ages 6-18, on youth-ocused projects

pertaining to environmental, hands-on, group projects.

The Columbus Foundation

1234 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43205

(614) 251-4000

http://www.columbusoundation.org/

The Columbus Foundation serves Central Ohio residents by advising

individuals in their charitable donations and making grant

opportunities available to the public.

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Fiskars- Project Orange Thumb

Garden Tools & Accessories

780 Carolina Street

Sauk City, WI 53583

(800) [email protected]

http://www.skars.com/US/Garden/Project+Orange+Thumb/About

Fiskars Garden and Outdoor Living Division oers an annual grant program, Project Orange Thumb. Community garden groups can

apply to receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and $800.00 in supplies, such as seeds and mulch. Grant recipients also receive

t-shirts or garden volunteers/members.


1100 Dorset Street

South Burlington, VT 05403

(802) 863-5251

http://www.garden.org/

http://www.kidsgardening.com/

The NGA, cited earlier in this manual, provides a number o community garden nancing possibilities on its Web site. Several o the

opportunities are listed below.

Adopt a Garden Programs- The NGA has partnered with several organizations, including the ACGA, to link garden projects

in need o nancial support to individuals with unding capabilities. Visit

http://assoc.garden.org/ag/ to list or support school gardens, community

gardens, rehabilitation gardens and a green table project that aids both local

armers and gardens.

KidsGardening.com-This NGA Web site is geared towards childrens

garden projects and provides an abundance o grant inormation, a garden

resource directory and undraising programs. Some grants and resources are

accessible to adults as well as children. Start locating garden supplies and

unding resources by visiting www.KidsGardening.com.

Youth Garden Grants Program- The NGA oers grants to schools and

community organizations serving a minimum o 15 children, ages 3 to 18,

through a youth-ocused, gardening program.

Visit http://assoc.garden.org/grants/ or more inormation.

Funding Sources

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14111 Scottslawn Road

Marysville, OH 43041

(888) 270-3714

www.scotts.com

Give Back to Grow Awards- Give Back to Grow is Scotts corporate caring initiative. This program honors community gardeners work in

schools, beautication, eeding the hungry and conronting issues in inner-cit y areas. Scotts annually awards $40,000 dollars to community

gardeners through the Give Back to Grow program with rst place in each category receiving $5,000 dollars. Visit the Scotts Web site or

more inormation or call (866) 565-3554 and ask or a Scotts Give Back to Grow representative.

Scotts Urban Garden Academy Grant Program- This grant program sets aside unds or community leaders organizing neighborhood

development through community gardening. Grant recipients are required to attend the Scotts Urban Garden Academy courses (see Additional

Local Resources). For more inormation, call The Columbus Foundation at (614) 251-4000 or visit www.ColumbusFoundation.org.

Seeds o Change

P.O. Box 15700

Santa Fe, NM 87592

(505) 438-8080

http://www.seedsochange.com/

Seeds o Change seed donation program gives organic seeds to organizations promoting learning and sustainable living through school,

community and outreach-based organic gardening projects.

Target Store Grants

www.target.com

Target Store Grants are available at a Target store or online. Up to $3,000 per organization is available or the unding o programs related to arts,

amily violence and prevention and reading. Community gardens with programming in any o the mentioned categories can apply or unding.

The United Way o Central Ohio- Neighborhood Partnership Grants

360 South Third Street

Columbus, OH 43215

614-241-3072

[email protected]

www.uwcentralohio.org

[email protected]

www.columbusoundation.org

The Columbus Foundation, the United Way o Central Ohio, National City Bank and Bob Evans present the Neighborhood Partnership Grants

Program (NPG), a collaboration o the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) and the Neighborhood Empowerment Grants. The NPG is

available to resident-led projects that assist neighborhood organizations and/or make improvements in low-income to moderate-income areas

in Franklin County. Grant applicants must have 501(c)3 status or a scal agent and may apply or up to $15,000 annually. Visit the Columbus

Foundation or the United Way o Central Ohio Web site or more inormation.

Funding Sources

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Sustainability

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VI.

Sustainability


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VI. Sustainability

The key actor in successul community gardening is sustainability or the ability to last or an extended amount o time. Gardeners should

develop a sustainability plan to guide their eorts in ensuring their community garden thrives or years to come. The ollowing areas should be

considered in a sustainability plan:

Leadership: Garden Leaders should develop and articulate a vision and goals or the plot. This vision can be simply stated, with the

intent o the garden to be available or community use year ater year. A garden leader should acilitate communication between the land

owner and gardeners; and ensure the leased land is used in a way that satises both parties. Organizational meetings ought to be held

periodically and all vested stakeholders should share in the creation o the gardens uture.

Gardener/Volunteer Commitment: Steady gardeners/volunteers, division o labor and good management are necessary to building a

sustainable garden. Members and volunteers alike should be prepped on the many hours and dedication needed to operate a successul

community garden. A garden cannot run without people planting, weeding and organizing logistics . The leaders should explain the

benets o a sustainable garden, as a long-standing garden is more attractive to potential gardeners than a transient one and allows or

continual garden development.

Community Outreach and Garden Promotion: Garden leaders should continually recruit and train new members to ease the

strain when others move on and to continue the gardens vitality. Promoting the success and benets o gardening will help recruit new

supporters. Community gardeners should also network with other gardeners and organizations, as well as reach out to community groups.

Developing new partnerships can be the best source or nding and receiving help with resources needed to sustain a garden.

Funding and Resources: Organizations can pursue several routes in unding garden projects such as grants, und raisers, donations,

business support and/or growing produce or sale. Many gardens grow speciality crops or sale to local restaurants and grocers or sell

produce directly to the public through armers markets. Some gardens ask or a membership ee to have a plot within the garden, which

produces unds to maintain common areas. Within Columbus, it is strongly urged to connect with existing garden programs, such as the

Franklin Park Conservatorys Growing to Green Program, as they can be a source or unds, materials and expert advice.

Many services exist throughout Columbus to help begin and maintain a community garden. This manual gives an overview o services available

to help you get started. We encourage you to contact these services or help. Start a community garden and harvest the long term benets such

as improved health, nutrition and development or your neighborhood.

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Sustainability


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Preface

The Green Team extends its thanks to Weisenbach Specialty Printing or graciously donating their time and resources to the printing o this manual.

Please note the Get Green Columbus: Community Garden Resource Manual was printed on 100% recycled paper with soybased ink.

MAYOR MICHAEL B. COLEMAN

Documents

Community Garden Resource Manual: Columbus OH